Customer Reviews

Company Commander-Vietnam

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book brought back a flood of memories for me as I was one of the radio operators mentioned in the book. After learning that Capt. Estep had written a book about Vietnam I was anxious to read it to find out what happened to him after he was wounded and put on a medivac. It's great to know that he is well and has been able to write a book about the experiences that so many of us spent as grunt's in Vietnam. I have read several books about Vietnam but none so realistic as "Company Commander". This book is as near to a real life experience as you'll ever come.

Facinating!!!! I was honored to be the commander of Company C, 2nd of the 5th Cav about a year after COL Estep commanded it. I found the book by pure accident, and was drawn to it by the title because I too had been "Commanche Six." For those who did not serve in a line unit in RVN and would be curious to know the reality of it, this book is superb. COL Estep will not be remembered as a great writer, and I had the feeling this book was edited to appeal to young "war book" readers, but the experience is authentic. During the year's time between his command and mine, the 2/5 Cav had moved from the highlands to the Tay Ninh Province area. All the radio call signs remained the same, and much of the terminology. The only thing of significance that had changed was the name we called oursleves. I'd never heard the term "snuffy" until I read the book. We (including the officers) referred to ourselves as grunts. Avail yourself of the opportunity to read of authentic war experiences, as uncomfortable as they may be.

This is a Vietnam War far from the demoralized army of popular imagination.
Coordinated air assaults, aggressive patrolling and ambushing and skilled defensive systems characterize this other war of highly motivated and effective soldiers, taking the war to the enemy and honorably upholding the American military tradition in conditions as rugged as any in our history
Estep, a four-tour mustang who retired as Colonel, is a skilled memoirist who brings the reader into the action and paints a vivid picture of the fighting- and winning-American soldier in Vietnam.
(The numrical rating above is a default setting within Amazon's format. This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings.)

I was privledged to have served with then Major Estep in Korea and then in 5th Special Forces Group. He was someone that was my silent mentor. I watched and I learned from a true soldier.

Thank you my friend and fellow soldier.

Frank Bush
LTC (R) Special Forces